India’s recent military action, dubbed Operation Sindoor, targeting militant camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), has caused significant turbulence in the aviation sector. The operation prompted the closure of multiple airports across northern and western India, particularly those near the border. As a result, numerous domestic and international flights were cancelled, diverted, or rescheduled, affecting thousands of passengers and throwing travel plans into disarray.
The sudden airspace restrictions have particularly impacted international flyers. Many travellers have either postponed their trips or cancelled them altogether due to the rising tension and uncertainty. “I was to travel to Bengaluru from the US on May 8 as my father-in-law is hospitalised and my mother-in-law is all alone. But now with the present situation, I have cancelled the flight for the time being,” said Prerna Gupta, echoing the fears of many who are watching the situation closely before deciding their next move.
Social media platforms have become hubs of real-time updates and distress calls. One passenger shared a harrowing account of being on board American Airlines flight AA293, scheduled to fly from Delhi to New York on May 6, when the pilot informed passengers that clearance had not been granted by Delhi ATC due to the closure of Pakistan’s airspace. The flight was eventually grounded, with passengers left in limbo and airlines scrambling to arrange accommodations.
Airlines including Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Akasa have issued advisories, urging passengers to check flight statuses before heading to airports. Affected travellers have been offered full refunds or the option to reschedule at no additional cost. Authorities have shut over a dozen airports until further notice, including those in Leh, Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Jodhpur, Jamnagar, Bhuj, and Rajkot.
The ripple effects of the operation are also being felt globally. Several international flights bound for the affected Indian airports have been diverted to Delhi and other nearby locations, leading to confusion and extended travel times. Major international carriers such as Air France, Lufthansa, British Airways, Swiss International Air Lines, and Emirates have adjusted flight paths to completely avoid Pakistani airspace. Lufthansa confirmed it is rerouting all flights “until further notice,” and Air France cited the evolving geopolitical situation for its route changes.
The military escalation follows a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, on April 22, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians, including a Nepali national. The strike is part of India’s ongoing strategy to dismantle terrorist infrastructure across the border, but its implications are now reverberating far beyond the conflict zone—grounding flights and shaking up global travel itineraries.
